Travel

I’ve been jotting down notes on my phone as I walk around Thailand. I don’t have time to write long posts, so here’s a list of observations, activities, etc.

Hip Destination

Still in Bangkok, in the heart of the “Bangkok for dummies” (Khaosan Road)… so many German, Spanish, and other European tourists. Thailand is a super hip destination apparently, I just came here because the plane ticket was cheap and I love Thai food! Anyways, it reminds me of any other tropical destination for young people, like Goa in India or Rosarito in Mexico — everyone selling the same trinkets, young people getting drunk and being stupid, great street food, etc.

Khaosan Road, Thailand's backpacker area
Khaosan Road, Thailand’s backpacker area

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Travel

I’ve been jotting down notes on my phone as I walk around Thailand. I don’t have time to write long posts, so here’s a list of observations, activities, etc:

  • Arrive in Bangkok at 7am
  • Express Airlink City rail train to Makkasan station for 90 Baht
  • Saw billboard about Buddha saying: “Stop abusing the Buddha. Don’t buy furniture, sculptures, get tattoos, etc”. It seems funny, because people always swear “Buddhism isn’t a religion, it’s a philosophy”… but this seems like the standard superstition and controlling people that is typical of religion.
  • Wander around for a few blocks at Makassan, meet a nice motorbike dude called Somnuek. He takes me to Khaosan Road for 150 Baht. The ride is 15 minutes or so. He also takes me to have noodles for lunch and finds a cheap hotel for me. As we drive he keeps pointing out Chinese girls to me, not sure why.
  • Noodles are delicious, reminds me of Phở. Also comes with iced tea. 110 Baht total for both of us.
  • Hotel is 350 Baht per night, no frills, but has a bed and running water, plus one socket for electricity).
  • Panang curry, rice and a cold coke for dinner on the side of the road. 100 Baht. Delicious.
  • Coffee at Starbucks while I relax and read my book. Black coffee alone is 110 Baht!

7 days left in Thailand!

Travel

Alan at the Colosseum in Rome
Alan at the Colosseum in Rome

While in Italy for a workshop I spent a few hours in Rome. The weather was beautiful and I managed to see some of the famous, old monuments.

It’s pretty amazing that some of the old monuments were standing before Jesus’ time (ie, the Colosseum was built in 80 AD), and there’s no doubt that the Colosseum existed/exists. We can’t say the same for Jesus! The only “proof” we have that Jesus ever existed are a bunch of second-hand accounts which were written decades after his death.

In other news, Rome’s cool. A few things that stood out to me:

  • Tall pine trees
  • Pizza by the kilo: cheap, greasy and delicious
  • Old buildings